The Mount Rainier Mayor and City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 17 to reallocate $458,840.17 in unspent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the city’s Potts Hall Welcome Center project.

City Manager (Mr.) Kamali and finance staff described the reallocation line by line. Kamali and staff listed remaining balances from several projects — including Newton Street, Richardson Park, a social worker line, student scholarships, police uniforms, food security, streets and sidewalks, a city‑based home repair program, ARPA consultant contracts and a business interruption fund — and proposed moving the totals into Potts Hall. Kamali explained the reallocation totals and an additional unallocated balance of $69,715.50; adding the two produced the $458,840.17 total to Potts Hall and a project total of $1,000,813.83 cited in staff materials.

Council discussed and praised staff work overseeing ARPA allocations and the progress on multiple projects. Mayor Selena Benitez summarized federal and state grant coordination and thanked staff and federal and state officials involved in securing funds. Councilmember Luke and others emphasized the practical construction guidance and thanked staff for managing complex grant and contract arrangements.

Mayor Benitez moved to reallocate the funds to Potts Hall; a second was recorded and the mayor stated the motion “passes unanimously.” The transcript does not list individual roll‑call votes. Staff were directed to proceed with obligating and reporting the reallocated funds before federal ARPA deadlines and to include the changes in the city’s required reporting.